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Now is the moment to begin evaluating Alexander Isak justly as a record-breaking Anfield striker, Arne Slot stated on Friday. As such, the assessment should be critical, but as the UK's costliest footballer sat alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the Premier League champions tried in vain to force an equaliser against Manchester United without them, it was not the manager's misfiring offence that earned the fiercest scrutiny at the stadium. The team's backline structure has disappeared.

Anonymous Display from Star Attackers

Yes, the Swedish striker was predominantly quiet in the No 9 position and the Egyptian winger disappointing again as his difficulties persisted versus the club he typically scores against. The Sweden international had his initial attempt on goal in the top division as a Reds member in the 35th minute, well saved by United’s latest goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The forward wasted a excellent second-half chance in front of the Kop and could not complain when their substitution came up. The Dutch attacker also hit the crossbar three times and inexplicably failed to net a second shortly after the defender's winner.

Impossible Loss Despite Opportunities

It ought to have been unthinkable for the hosts to lose a match in which they generated so many chances, the manager stated. But it is not impossible with a defence in this form, as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and currently United have proven.

Defensive Collapse Under Pressure

While overseeing a fourth straight loss as Liverpool manager, the first man to achieve this after a previous manager in November 2014, Slot must have despaired at a defence display that invited United to dominate as well as their first victory at the ground since January 2016. Littered with the identical errors that the team's coaching staff had worked on solving after the pause, featuring yet another set-piece goal, it was a performance that completely undermined the champions’ after halftime comeback and cost them the game.

Advantage Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was at last with the home side when the substitute cancelled out the forward's quick opener. Liverpool could sense one more late win with substitutes one attacker, a midfielder and another forward sparking progress and the opposition in retreat. Rather, it was another late Premier League loss, the third straight, after the team's dead-ball weaknesses re-emerged and Maguire found himself among several United players free behind Ibrahima Konaté in the closing stages.

Organized Opposition Outperform

A powerful goal into the goal that the player blazed over in the final moments of the previous campaign's tie gave Ruben Amorim the best victory of his turbulent club tenure. Despite the negativity around the coach it was his team that played with definite plan and a smartly implemented approach for the bulk of a compelling contest. The first consecutive Premier League victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the outcome. Slot’s side again appeared like strangers at points, particularly when allowing a dead-ball goal for the fifth occasion in the division this season.

Early Opener Reveals Backline Issues

Liverpool were found wanting from the start to the execution of the attacker's quick-fire opener. There was little impact on the first attempt from the captain, a probable result of having to go through opponents to reach the pass, to be fair, and no pressure on Bruno Fernandes when he took possession and passed to Amad Diallo in space on the right. the defender was slow to react, Van Dijk delayed to track back and follow the forward's movement while Giorgi Mamardashvili, filling in for the unavailable first-choice keeper in net, was easily beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Concentration Issues

Slot could reasonably point to his head and ask where the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an referee with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the focus and communication levels his defenders. The forward's goal indicates the side have managed only two clean sheets in a dozen games this season, the most recent coming many matches previously at Burnley.

Constant Exploitation of Left Flank

The visitors carved open Liverpool’s left side repeatedly in a opening period in which Fernandes, Mason Mount and also Gakpo all nearly scored to increasing the away team's lead. Sending the winger quickly against Kerkez was obviously in the manager's tactic. It worked time and again in the opening 45 minutes. The £40m summer signing from Bournemouth endured a further difficult match in a Liverpool shirt. Set-pieces were also a problem for Andy Robertson’s chosen successor, who almost put Mbeumo through while attempting one interception. Kerkez and Van Dijk appear on not in sync at the moment.

Coach's Explanation and Admission

“We take a many risks,” the head coach explained following the opposition's win. “Following the 62nd minute we had six or seven attacking members on the pitch. That’s perhaps why our organization for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have more defensive players on the field. Maybe it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to improve.”